Page 39 of Strictly the Worst

“He’s kinda cute. And he knows Ryker. How cool is that?”

“Very cool,” I agree.

“Can I go now?” she asks. “I want to tell my friends that I know somebody who knows the Linebackers.”

“Sure,” I say, because it’s so good to see her smile. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”

LINC

We eat dinner outside the cottage as the sun sets. They sent over both fish and chicken tacos, along with some chocolate desserts that we’ve stashed in the refrigerator for later. And a jug of cocktails – Bahama Mamas of course. We’ve only had a glass each. Enough to relax but not get drunk.

Because I know Tessa wants to get some work done. And I’m okay with doing some work, too.

“Your kid seems pretty cool,” I say, loading some tacos on her plate before filling my own. William said to leave the dishes on the deck when we’re finished and he’d pick them up later. I make a note to leave a huge tip with them, because the man deserves it.

“She has her moments,” Tessa says, though her cheeks pink up with pride. And I like that a lot. “She’s excited about meeting her favorite band though.” Her eyes meet mine. “Unless you were kidding.”

“I wasn’t kidding,” I tell her. I’d never let a child down like that. I’ve been let down too many times myself. “I sent Ryker’s manager a message after I took a shower. He’s agreed to organize some tickets. Said Zoe could bring a couple of friends with if she wants. And I’m assuming you’ll want to go with her too.”

“Someone will have to,” she says. “They’re too young to go alone.”

“I guess teenage hood isn’t what it used to be,” I muse. “I went everywhere alone.”

“Me, too.”

I take another bite of the fish taco and groan. “I could seriously live on these for the rest of my life.”

“You should start up a blog about hotel food,” she tells me. “It could be your side hustle.”

“Now that sounds like a lot of work I don’t need. Ever notice that once something starts earning you money it’s not fun anymore?” I ask her.

“Never become a sex worker then,” she says, lifting a brow.

And I start to laugh because it’s so unexpected. Christ, I like her, and that’s so weird to me. And yet it feels completely natural, too. “Damn, that was my back up plan. Now you’ve put me off.”

“I doubt anybody could put you off something you want to do,” she says.

“What makes you say that?”

“You have the silver tongue thing going on. You can persuade anybody of anything. It’s disconcerting.”

“It is?”

She nods. “Yeah. And annoying because I wish I had the silver tongue.”

I shift in my chair, because now I’m thinking about tongues and Carmichael and it’s a pretty distracting combination.

“Not like that.”

“I know.” I smile. “And I don’t have a silver tongue, or whatever it is you think I have. Because if I did, you wouldn’t hate me.”

“I don’t hate you.” Her voice is soft.

“Okay, then you did. Until you realized I’m a good guy.”

“The jury is still out on that.” She’s smiling. “But I think you’re good enough to sleep in my bed tonight.”

I choke on my mouthful of taco, and Carmichael starts to laugh.

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